New radar tower meeting set

GROSSE POINTE FARMS — The United States Border Patrol’s Detroit Sector will hold another public meeting to discuss adding radar to a surveillance tower already in place behind the Grosse Pointe Club from 6:30-8 p.m. July 11 at Grosse Pointe Memorial Church, 16 Lake Shore in Grosse Pointe Farms, next to the Grosse Pointe War Memorial. Border Patrol officials will be explaining why they believe the radar is needed, as well as sharing findings from a radar measurement study undertaken by the Department of Homeland Security and an independent review that was commissioned by Grosse Pointe Farms.

A question-and-answer session will follow the presentations. The Farms City Council is expected to vote on the radar proposal during its next regular meeting, at 7 p.m. July 15 at City Hall.

The potential addition of radar to the tower has drawn sharp criticism from nearby residents, who fear possible health and environmental problems if it’s approved. While federal officials have said this radar is the same as one that was deployed on Gull Island in 2011, residents near the Grosse Pointe Farms tower have pointed out that the Gull Island location is far from a residential area. Federal officials argue the radar will improve border security and cut down on illegal activity, such as drug smuggling from Canada.